Property Record
1442 UNDERWOOD AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Wauwatosa Post Office |
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| Other Name: | MGI Communications Inc. |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 78036 |
| Location (Address): | 1442 UNDERWOOD AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Wauwatosa |
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| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1933 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 199520162025 |
| Historic Use: | post office |
| Architectural Style: | Art Deco |
| Structural System: | Brick |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | The United States Post Office occupied the extant Halstead Building from the 1850s to 1902, when a dedicated space was added to the extant Jacobus Saloon building. In 1927, the local Wauwatosa post office merged with the Milwaukee post office. James Lefeber constructed a new Art Deco style post office building in 1933. The post office remained at this location until 1970. The Wauwatosa Post Office is presently located at 1655 North Mayfair Road; however, this building was not included in the survey. 2025 - This Art Deco building was constructed in 1933. It is symmetrically arranged with a primary elevation that faces west and is clad in tan brick with a flat roof. The building is constructed into a slight rise, resulting in a taller elevation at the southern end of the structure. The entrance is centrally located, consisting of a modern glass door, sidelights, and transom, with a fabric awning extending from above. Large window bays are located on each side of the entrance, containing fixed pane aluminum sashes, with stone sills and soldier-brick lintels. The door and window bays are separated by fluted brick pilasters atop stone plinths, topped by slanted stone caps. A pattern of raised bricks forming diamonds and crossing is found at the cornice level. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Wauwatosa Village District: A Home for Commerce, Government, and Leisure; Intensive Survey. Mead and Hunt, 1998. Building and Planning Permit Records, on file at the Wauwatosa Planning Department, Wauwatosa. Wauwatosa City Directories, 1926-1992, on file at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |